Zutara Week 2010
Family
Katara waited anxiously for Zuko at the entrance to the Palace. He had just returned from a trip to the earth kingdom where he helped Aang moderate a quarrel between neighboring Earth kingdom provinces. Now her husband was slowly making his way up to the palace, surrounded by a mob of shrewd diplomats, "advisors", and good old Uncle Iroh. Normally Katara would launch herself into this political debate between the politicians. Today, however, she just wanted to talk to Zuko.
It seemed like years before Zuko and the rest of the men were at the bottom of the palace steps. Then again it seemed like it had taken only seconds. Katara leaned against one of the giant column supports near the doorway and looked down at Zuko. He looked up at her and smiled. When she returned with only a half-hearted grin he frowned.
"Gentlemen, excuse me please, I wish to be alone with my wife, whom I have missed sorely during my travels." When the men did not disperse immediately Iroh took it upon himself to help his nephew out.
"Who wants to play a good game of Pai Sho?", he asked loudly. The air was suddenly filled with rushed excuses and hurried goodbyes. Soon the courtyard was empty except for Zuko, Iroh, and Katara.
"You are most welcome nephew, " Iroh said in response to Zuko's grin, and, smiling, walked briskly up the steps past Katara.
Zuko now beckoned to Katara with a nod of the head. She ran down the steps into Zuko's waiting arms and hugged him tightly. He brought her head up and kissed her softly on the lips. After the kiss was broken she smiled and asked playfully,
"Walk with me?"
"It would be my pleasure," replied Zuko. And so they walked, arm in arm, through the gardens of the Fire Nation Palace exchanging tales of their time apart. When they reached the turtle duck pond Zuko stopped and turned Katara to face him.
"Now will you please tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong Zuko! Honest," Katara responded quickly. At least she hoped her news wouldn't cause a problem…
"Then why didn't you look happy when I first arrived? Even now as we are talking there is a shadow behind your eyes. Tell me, what is on your mind?" Zuko looked determined to wheedle the answer from her, no matter how much she protested. He enjoyed this sort of game. Unfortunately it wasn't going to challenge him much, as Katara had no intention of hiding anything from her husband.
"I told you Zuko, nothing is wrong. I've just been kind of nervous today. I've got some news for you." Katara smiled now, and paused. She got exactly the response she had been looking for.
"Well don't keep me on edge Katara!" Zuko's face was anxious now and slightly worried; he had no idea what was in store. Katara laughed at him.
"Okay, Okay, you really want to know?" To think she had been nervous about telling him before; now she was toying with him!
"Dammit Katara!"
Grinning, Katara relented. She pulled him into a hug and whispered something in his ear. The look on Zuko's face went from confused to shocked to joyful in the span of about 3 seconds. He held his wife at an arm's length for a moment, his hands on her shoulders.
"Seriously?" Katara just smiled and nodded. Zuko's eyes filled and he cupped Katara's face with one hand. The other hand went down to gently rest on her stomach. He kissed her passionately and held her close.
"We're going to be a family Zuko," Katara stated happily. Resting his head on top of his wife's, Zuko thought about this. He smiled slowly as he realized he would finally have something he always wanted.
"A family…"
